Rotameter



w', H GERBER 2,2185789 l ROTAMETER Oct. 22, 1940.

Filed March 13, 19km.

I Il l v @vf/M1 Patented-Oct.v 22, I

PATENT OFFICE ROTAMETER A l f Walter H. Gerber,` Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Schutte '8s Koerting-Company, Philadelphia,

Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 18, 1940, 'Serial No.'324,554

soiaims.y (01.78-209) .r i

One object of the present inventionl is to fit a rotameter for measuring opaque 'liquids and iiuids.

Another object of the invention is to illuminate I the measuring instrument or gauge in such a way that it can be readily read even though the liquid oruid being measured is sufficiently opaque to obscure the float. l

^ Other objects of the invention will appear fromk l0 the following description at the end of which the invention will be claimed.

Generally stated, the invention comprises, transparent material exposed at the rim of the iioat or rotor and edge-lighted from a pole rod 15 on which the rotor is movable.

The invention also comprises the improvements to be presently described and finally claimed.

In the following description, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a side view with parts broken away of a rotameter embodying features of the invention, and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of parts u of the same. t

Referring to the drawing, llindicates a rotameter in general of usual construction and including a metering tube 2. Through the metering tube 2 is arranged a luminescent tube 3. On

u this luminescent tube 3 the float or rotor 4 is movable. The metering tube 2 is provided with a scale marking 5. On the float 4 are mounted 2 washer-like rings 6 and 'l of transparent material as Lucite or glass adapted for edge-lighting.

'I'he ring 8 serves to keep the rings 6 and 1 in place on the float or rotor.

'I'he mode of operation may be describedas follows: Assuming that the liquid ,being meas-v ured and iiowing through the tube 2 is so opaque that the float or .rotor 4 is not visible, theiioat is made visible by the edge-lighting of the rings or disks 6 and 1 which are edge-lighted yfrom the luminescent tube 3. The rims oi these disks or rings are quite closef to the inner wall of the tube and, when viewed,r they present between f them a black line and this .dark or black line is used as an index' in respect to the scale on the metering tube 2. l

It Lwin be obvious to those sinned in ythe art 1,

' to which the invention relates that modifications may be made in details of construction and arrangement and in matters of mere form Without departing from the spiritv of the invention which is not limited in'respect to such matters.

I claim: Y

1. Means for fitting a rotameter having a transparent graduated metering tube and a float Aor rotor for Ause in measuring opaque liquids which comprise, a luminescent tube arranged'in 20 the vmeasuringvtube as a. pole rod, and rings of transparent material surroundingl therod and carried by the rotor or float and edge-lighted from the luminescent tube in order to show light near the inner surfaceof the metering tube in respect to the graduations.

2. Apparatus substantially as described in claim 1 and in.r which the rings are arrangedlnpairs and show a black or dark line between them when redge-lighted from the luminescentA tube.

3. Means for tting arotameter having a graduated metering4 tube and a float or rotor for use .in measuring opaque liquid which comprise, a

luminescent tube arranged in the metering tube as a pole rod, and a bodyof transparent material $5 extending radially of and carried bythe float or rotor andedge-lighted from the luminescent tube.

WALTER H. GERBER. 

